The Visionary and The Delinquent
(A contrast of two lives)
One lives by convictions, imperfectly;
while one judges by
standards, he himself can’t keep.
One stands attentive, faithful; flawed
The other wipes his mouth, demanding more.
One steps in, to cover in grace,
The other steps, boastful; resents his place.
One dies daily, a living sacrifice;
the other blames others –
for his compromise.
One tries and fails, but tries again-
learns to lead; on God depend.
The other flees the scene after speaking lies;
practices quite well, his rehearsed alibis.
One lives quietly, behind the scenes.
The other’s Cheshire smile, grotesque, obscene.
One is slight, in stature and frame.
The other seeks glory and others to defame.
One stood by a seed not his own;
trusting the view of God’s Holy Throne.
The other stakes a claim on fortune and fame,
damning and cursing the Lord’s good name.
One needs forgiveness and has received,
from the hand of God
the joy he bequeaths.
The other also needs, but instead decides
who he alone esteems-
his own blind guides.
Self is his king,
to Pride he does bow-
Kissing Satan’s ring with his unholy vow.
In the end
both will stand-
at the throne
before the Lamb,
and The Great I Am.
“Enter in”, he says, “to all who have received,
my precious Son in whom you have believed.”
“Even those delinquents,
who will turn to me, in their final hour
breath their last decree.
I will not turn away
one who will bow his knee,
in this life or in the end- finally.”
“But for those who make their stand, and rely on self,
they will not enter in to my gracious wealth.
For I am the One who gives and takes,
I am perfect and holy-
making no mistakes.
I have called each one personally.
Each must decide about Calvary.
Each must choose about that Tree,
the Tree that stood before the Fall,
the Tree that held up the final call…
the Tree that held the God who was man,
that stood in the garden,
that fulfilled God’s plan.
The Tree that took a sinner’s plight
and brought redemption into Holy Light.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
Linking with Emily and Shanyn:
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
9 responses to “The Visionary and The Delinquent”
Powerful!
LikeLike
This comment has been removed by the author.
LikeLike
This comment has been removed by the author.
LikeLike
This comment has been removed by the author.
LikeLike
def a strong piece and a strong verse…i like that in this you recognize even the faithful are flawed…even those seeming faithful can become as much about self as the delinquent…
LikeLike
So powerful and beautiful. You have a wonderful gift! What a blessing to be able to soak up your words into my heart! Pam Mosher
LikeLike
that last stanza slayed me friend. thank you for this. so glad to be back with you. e.
LikeLike
This is powerful in so many ways. thank you for sharing! Bless you!
LikeLike
I love that you felt so passionately about this as to write it in verse: great job! And you're right: according to scripture, God will pardon even those who cry out at the last minute. But every minute of life spent with Him is, ultimately, such a blessing, and I think you capture that truth so well, here.
LikeLike